Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile on Sunday said that last week’s Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally was a form of “political pressure” aimed at discouraging the executive branch of government, led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., from fulfilling his constitutional duties.
Enrile pointed out that only the President has the authority and responsibility to coordinate with the legislative and judicial branches to ensure the efficient operation of government.
“There is no question that the INC peace rally was a peaceful assembly. But were there grievances to be redressed? Pardon me for my impression—to me, there was none,” Enrile said.
“To me, although it was well-intentioned, the peace rally was more like a political pressure to hinder a separate and independent department of the government from performing a constitutional duty. This was evident from the speeches delivered in that rally,” he added.
Enrile clarified that he was not against the INC’s National Rally for Peace, acknowledging that everyone has the right to peacefully assemble and petition the government.
GMA News Online reached out to INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, who declined to comment.
Enrile had warned that giving in to the implied arguments made during the rally could set a “very detrimental” precedent for the country.
The INC maintained that the rally—attended by an estimated 1.8 million people nationwide to support Marcos’ rejection of impeachment moves against Vice President Sara Duterte—was not political.
Marcos had said that he would not support any impeachment efforts against Duterte, stating it would not benefit Filipinos.
Following the rally, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that the President’s stance remained unchanged. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
